Olive Oil and Nutrigenomics

The effect of foods on gene expression is a fairly new area of science termed nutrigenomics. Many people are highly interested in how they may protect or prevent disease or conditions by applying diets appropriate to ones genetic make-up. Although early in its stages nutrigenomics has identified some very interesting findings. One interesting find was a clinical trial linking olive oils to the anti-inflammatory response

Extra virgin olive oil has been shown to reduce the expression of 98 genes involved in the inflammatory response by researchers from the University of Cordoba (Camargo A et al. 2010). Polyphenols are the primary beneficial compounds, which are found at high levels in extra virgin olive and not virgin olive oil, that deliver an advantageous nutrigenomic effect on many of the genes responsible for inflammation. The study exposed participants to breakfast diets with extra virgin olive oil versus virgin olive oil to determine the health benefits. After careful observation it was shown that participants on the virgin oil had 79 pro-inflammatory genes that were higher in comparison to those on the extra virgin oil. In addition 19 anti-inflammatory genes were higher in those who ate extra-virgin olive oil. Quite impressive that something as simple as olive oil can aid in cardiovascular health.

This entry was posted by Jermel Watkins on September 28, 2010 at 9:11 am, and is filed under Your Genes, Your Health. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.